Workpiece supporting clamp



HO CHOW WORKPIECE SUPPORTING CLAMP Filed'Jan. 23, 1957 Feb, 10, 1959 IN VEN TOR. /fo H0 w BY I uit States gea WORKPIECE SUPPURTING 'CLAll/IP Ho Chow, New York, N. Y., assigner to Central Technical, Inc., Yonkers, N. Y., a corporation of New York This invention relates to clampsv foruse. in conjunction with various types and kinds of machines lin clamping a workpiece on a bedplate of a machine or a jig or fixture arranged thereon. More particularly, the invention deals with a clamp employing a tapered pivotally mounted and rotatably and axially adjustable element in adapting. the clamp for engagement with workpieces arranged in spaced, as well as close, proximity to the clamp base or block.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a clamp of the character described, wherein the base or block is apertured for different mountings thereof in providing a wide range of uses for the clamp. Further, theV invention deals with a clamp of the character described having means for preventing foreign particles from entering the bore of the clamp block in the use thereof.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the inventionl are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. l is a sectional View, diagrammatically illustrating the use of a clamp made according to my invention and illustrating the parts in a fully extended position.

Fig. 2 is a View, similar to Fig. l, showing only part of the construction and with parts in a different position; and

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In Fig. l of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated at the baseplate or a jig or fixture arranged upon the baseplate of a machine and at 11 I have indicated part of a workpiece to be clamped thereon.

At 12 l have shown the block of my improved clamp which, in some instances, will be arranged upon spacers 13 to support the clamp block at a` desired height for proper engagement of the clamping element 14 with the workpiece 11.

The block 12 is generally rectangular in form and has, at its upper portion, a longitudinal bore 15, which extends the full length of the block andv opens through opposed ends thereof, the diameter of the bore-15 being substantially the same as the slightly rounded substantially central pivot portion 16 of the element 14, so that the element 14 is free to move to several positions longitudinally of the bore and two eXtreme positions of the element 14 are illustrated in Figs. l and 2 of the drawing.

The top wall of the block 12 has an elongated aperture 17 opening through one end of the block and terminating beyond the center of the block in a bevelled wall 1S. The aperture 17 is of less width than the diameter of the bore 15, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing, but yet of sufficient width to permit limited rotary movement of the element 141 in the bore in adjusting the work engaging or gripper shoe 19 for engagement with the workpiece 11.

The block 12 has, at corner portions thereof, four vertical apertures, two of which are indicated at 2t) in Fig. 3 of .the drawing, these apertures being adapted to receive securing screws 21 which are screwed into the jig, fixture Fatented Fein. 10, 1959' or other support 1t) in definitely positioning the block 12 thereon. The screws 21 are suiciently long to compensate for the spacers 13 when the latter are employed.

The lower portion of the block 12 also includes two other apertures 22 to receive screws or other fasteners, similar to 21, in mounting the block -on one of its sides rather than on its lower surface, as shown in Fig. l of the drawing.

The element 14 has oppositely directed tapered ends, namely an outer end 23 and an inner end 24, the outer end 23 terminating in a reduced rounded pin portion 25, upon which the shoe 19 fits snugly, the pin portion being apertured, as seen at 26, to receive a drive coupling pin 27, which also enters an aperture 2S in the shoe 19'. The lower end of the shoe 19 is preferably rounded, as seen at 29, to provide, at al1 times, a positive engagement with workpieces, regardless of the angularity of the element 14. In this connection, it will be apparent that the element 14 is capable of swinging pivotal movement in the bore 15 from the high position, noted in Fig. 2, to a position lower than that illustrated in Fig. 1.

The inner tapered end 24 of the element 14 has a vertical threaded bore 30, with which is coupled a clamp screw 31, the screw having a rounded inner bearing surface 32 to engage the bore 15 in adjustment of the element 14 into dilferent positions and clamping engagement withV a workpiece, as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing.

The screw 31 has, at its outer end, an irregularly-shaped large head 33, facilitating manual rotation of the screw in the use of the clamp, the head 33 including a sleeve portion 34 which extends to a point spaced from but closely adjacent the upper surface of the block 12.

As previously stated, the element 14 is capable of rotary adjustment within limits of the ability of the screw 31 to swing in the aperture 17, the diameter of the screw 31 being materially less than the width of the aperture 17.

l also refer to employ a shield 35 to prevent foreign particles from entering the bore 1S, particularly when the clamp is arranged in one. of its inner adjusted positions, such as the extreme inner adjusted position noted in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The shield 35 comprises a top plate 36 of greater width than the width of the aperture 17 and having a transversely elongated aperture 37, through which the screw 31 passes and in which the screw can operate in the rotary adjustment of the element 14.

The end of the shield 3S has an angularly offset rounded portion 33 tting snugly, but freely, in the bore 15 to prevent particles from entering the adjacent end portion of the bore and this rounded portion 38 joins the top plate 36 in a neck portion 3S', which lits snugly, but freely, inthe aperture 17. It will thus be apparent that the shield is. detinitely keyed in position and the top plate is sufliciently long to cover the aperture 17' when the element 14 is at the limit of its adjustment, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

From the foregoing, it will 'oe apparent that, in rotation of the. screw 31, the element 1d can be moved from its raised position, as noted inFig. 2, to move the shoe tlg-'downwardly in the direction of the arrow 39, Fig. l, for clampingV engagement with a workpiece 11 with the element 1d in any position of adjustment in the block 12 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. l. In'these several positions of adjustment, the element 1d can be rotated to suitably position the shoe or a surface thereof with respect to a workpiece, particularly when the surface of the workpiece engaged is irregular orangular with respect to the surface of thejig, fixture or other support.

It will also. be apparent that, with my improved clamp', quick coupling and uncoupling with` a workpiece canV beV accomplished' and, at the same time, a quick adjustment can be made for engagement with workpieces l .t 2,872,854 I y l A er which are widely spaced from the block 12, or arranged in close proximity thereto. In this connection, it will be apparent that the clamp, with the element 14 in the position shown in Fig. 2, can be moved into clamping engagement with a workpiece arranged in close proximity to the block i2. Y

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion tting snugly, but free'- ly, in the bore Vof said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture end disposed within the bore of said block, and means arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece.

2. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion tting snugly, but freely, in the bore of said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end an an inner threaded aperture end disposed within the bore of said block, means arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into clamping lengagement with a workpiece, and the outer end of the element including a shoe detachably mounted thereon.

3. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion litting snugly, but freely, in the bore of said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture end disposed within the bore of said block, means arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block .within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece, the outer end of the element including a shoe detachably mounted thereon, said shoe having a rounded workpiece engaging surface, the inner and outer ends of said element being tapered outwardly from the central pivot portion of said element, and 'said central pivot portion being curved in cross-sectional form.

4. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion fitting snugly,

arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece, said means comprising a screw, and the diameter of the screw being less than the transverse dimensions of the aperture in said block to permit limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis of said element.

5. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one Wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion titting snugly, but freely, in the lbore of said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture but freely, in the bore of said block, said element having end disposed in the bore of said block, means in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the bore of said block for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece, said means comprising a screw extending outwardly through the aperture in said block, the diameter of the screw being les than the transverse dimensions of said aperture to permit limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis of said element, a shield mounted on said block, the shield having a top wall covering the aperture in said block in different positions of adjustment of the element therein, and said wall of the shield having a transversely elongated aperture for movement of the screw in rotary adjustment of said element.

6. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block eing apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion tting snugly, but freely, in the bore of said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture end disposed in the bore of said block, means in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the bore of said block for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece, said means comprising a screw extending outwardly through the aperture in said block, the diameter of the screw being less than the transverse dimensions of said aperture to permit limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis of said element, a shield mounted on said block, the shield having a top wall covering the aperture in said block in different positions of adjustment of the element therein, said Wall of the shield having a transversely elongated aperture for movement of the screw in rotary adjustment of said element, and said shield including portions fitting snugly in the bore and aperture of said block beyond the element and screw.

7. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion fitting snugly, but freely, in the bore of said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture end disposed within the bore of said block, means arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into ciamping engagement with a workpiece, said means comprising a screw, the diameter of the screw being less than the transverse dimensions of the aperture in said block to permit limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis of said element, the inner end of the screw having a rounded bearing surface engaging said block, and an enlarged head at the outer end of said screw for manual operation of the screw.

8. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion fitting snugly, but freely, in the bore of said block, said `element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture end disposed within the bore of the said block, means arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece, said means comprising a screw exten-ding outwardly through the aperture in said block, the diameter of the screw being less than the transverse dimensions of said aperture to permit limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis of said element, the inner end of the screw having a rounded bearing surface engaging said block, an enlarged head at the outer end of said screw for manual operation of the screw, the ends of said element being of less transverse dimensions than said pivot portion, and the outer end portion including a workpiece engaging shoe.

9. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block having a longitudinal bore opening through opposed ends of the block, the block being apertured to receive fastening devices for mounting the block in connection with a support, one wall of the block having an elongated aperture opening into said bore and extending to the central portion of the bore, a clamping element having, centrally thereof, a pivot portion iitting snugly, but freely, in the bore of said block, said element having an outer workpiece engaging end and an inner threaded aperture end disposed within the bore of said block, means arranged in the elongated aperture of the block and in threaded engagement with the threaded aperture of said element and operatively engaging the block within the bore for moving the outer end of the element into clamping engagement with a workpiece, said means comprising a screw, the diameter' of the screw being less than the transverse dimensions of the aperture in said block to permit limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis or said element, the inner end of the screw having a rounded bearing surface engaging said block, an enlarged head at the outer end of said screw for manual operation of the screw, the ends of said element being of less transverse dimensions than said pivot portion, the outer end portion including a workpiece engaging shoe, and spacers arranged between the block and the support thereof for controlling position of said element with respect to a workpiece.

l0. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block, means whereby the block can be secured to a support, said block having an elongated bore, a clamping element having a central annular pivot portion tting snugly in the bore for pivotal and sliding adjustable movement in said bore, adjustable means arranged transversely to the axis of said bore and engaging the block and operatively engaging the end of said element disposed within the bore for moving the opposed end portion of the element arranged outwardly of the block into and out of clamping engagement with a workpiece arranged adjacent said block, and said adjustable means being arranged in and movable longitudinally 0f an elongated aperture in the block opening into said bore.

l1. A clamp of the character described, comprising a block, means whereby the block can be secured to a support, said block having an elongated bore, a clamping element having a central annular pivot portion tting snugly in the bore 'for pivotal and sliding adjustable movement in said bore, adjustable means arranged transversely to the axis of said bore and engaging the block and operatively engaging the end of said element disposed within the bore for moving the opposed end portion of the element arranged outwardly of the block into and out of clamping engagement with a workpiece arranged adjacent said block, said adjustable means being arranged in and movable longitudinally of an elongated aperture in the block opening into said bore, and the width of said elongated aperture being such as to provide limited rotary adjustment of the element with respect to the axis of the element in several positions of adjustment of the element in the bore of said block.

References Cited in the 'tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

